Whirlwind Summer

I’m not really a traveler, or at least until a couple years ago I wasn’t. But, if you looked at my summer schedule you would definitely think I was a traveler. This summer I have been to two new countries, seen two Wonders of the World, served the poor in South Dallas with twenty junior high kiddos, visited family in beautiful western North Carolina and, in less than a week, will visit more family in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Here are a few pictures of our travels this summer. If you want a write-up of our two big trips this summer (Mexico & Peru) my roommate has a blog and does a much better job than I ever could of recapping the trips.  Click here to check out her blog. 

Chichenitza in Mexico

Machu Picchu in Peru

Our group that hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

It’s been a great summer but it has gone by way too fast. Today I cleaned out my classroom and the fact that I am moving soon really began to hit me. It was only a year ago when I was frantically stapling up borders around bulletin boards and figuring out how to arrange my desks. Now I’m figuring out what is really necessary to pack and what I can afford to leave here all while savoring my last few weeks in Texas with friends and family.

Decision Made!

Well, after applying, waiting, interviewing, waiting, waiting, and more waiting, I am officially going to Haiti! Official offer has been extended and accepted, flight has been booked, current employers notified, packing….well, that will happen eventually. I am going to Haiti! I’ve gotten a lot of questions and thought I would use my first post to answer some of them…

Wait, what are you doing?

I am moving to Port-au-Prince, Haiti on August 4^th, 2011. I will be teaching at an English-speaking Christian school, Quisqueya. I will be teaching middle school Social Studies, Computer, and Elementary PE.  The school teaches in English and the students are a blend of Haitians as well as children of diplomats and missionaries.

Why go?

Long story short, I have had a desire to spend an extended amount of time in another country to learn the culture and the language and really experience it. It has only been in the last couple of years that I have tacked more of a purpose onto the end of that. I wanted to go somewhere where I could use the gifts and skills God has given me to further His name. God gifted me with the skills and experiences of a teacher and a heart for the people of Haiti. Then he opened the door for me to teach at a school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I feel like God has blessed me with this opportunity to go on an adventure with Him and for Him and I’m ready to take that leap and go!

Are you ever coming back?

Of course! The school calendar is set up similar to the American school calendar. I will be back for a bit during Christmas break and will be back for around 8 weeks in the summer!

What else is going on in Haiti?

So glad that you asked! I first visited Haiti on a trip with Watermark Community Church in Dallas to visit and support Mission of Hope, an organization that has been bringing life transformation to the people of Haiti since 1998. They are an awesome organization following Christ and doing some amazing things in Haiti. Learn more about them here. One really easy way to get involved is through child sponsorship. You can sponsor an orphan or sponsor one of the students at their school.

How can I help?

1)      Pray! It’s going to be a crazy change and I will need all the prayer I can get: for me, friends and family here, Quisqueya, my future students, and the people of Haiti.

2)      Support: I will be receiving a stipend from the school which should cover most expenses outside of flights. If you are interested in supporting financially through money or American Airlines miles, email me for information.

That’s all I have for now. I will try and update often before I leave and will post more regularly upon moving. I’m excited for this journey and hope you can keep up with me along the way!